Kenya Shared Group Safaris

4.6/5 – 897 Kenya Reviews

Whether you’re looking for a group or private safari, a Kenyan holiday is without a doubt an experience of a lifetime. You might have been on safari before and maybe you know what it is all about. Or maybe you’ve never set foot on African soil before. Either way, planning a trip can be confusing. Luckily, there are many tours on offer. The country’s big wildlife densities and varied landscapes make it perfect for first-time and repeat visitors alike. And why not end the holiday with some time on one of Kenya’s picture-perfect beaches. There are a few things to consider when planning your trip. Below some common questions are answered.

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5 Questions About Kenya Group Safaris

Expert

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many travel guides. She first visited Kenya 27 years ago. Since then she has been back many times to explore the country’s parks and reserves.

› More about Ariadne

What are the pros and cons of a Kenya group safari?

“When choosing between a private or a group safari in Kenya, you should be aware of the pros and cons of both. The main consideration is arguably one of budget. If you are a single traveler or part of a couple, joining a group will be cheaper than booking a private safari. Some of the costs on safari are shared, for example the guide fees and the vehicle. An operator might also decide on a smaller profit margin per person when putting together group tours. Many people enjoy the social element of a group tour. Especially if the alternative is traveling alone. Some group tours come with a tour leader as well as a local guide. Their task is to make sure that everything runs smoothly and all your needs are looked after. In some cases, the tour leader might bring their own expertise, such as photography or bird watching, which adds value for those who share that interest. The main negative of a Kenya group safari is that you’ll have to fit around set dates and that you won’t have any flexibility in the program. ”

What is a good size for a Kenya group tour?

“The ideal group size is one that fits into one vehicle, so up to seven people. Having said that, a tour consisting of two or three vehicles (up to about 20 people) should be fine as well. Independent of group size, most safari packages in Kenya are conducted in 4x4 minivans with a pop-up roof. The terrain doesn’t really allow for larger vehicles. These vehicles typically take up to seven guests. At a push they sometimes take eight passengers. Larger group sizes are usually split up over more vehicles. There are advantages to joining a small group tour. The logistics at check-in and check-out are less chaotic and less time is spent getting everybody together at various stops or briefings. A smaller group size allows the operator to choose smaller lodgings, which have a different feel to big hotels. The group tours described above differ from tours conducted in big overland trucks. These mostly aim for young clients on a tight budget. Participants might have camp duties and camping tends to be very basic.”

Is there a minimum age for a Kenya group safari?

“Compared to some other safari destinations, there are not many limitations on traveling with children in Kenya. However, some group tours have a minimum age. The age limit can be as low as one or three years, but it can be higher too. The main reason is that children might become a burden on the group. Not all visitors are child-friendly, and having young children in the group might create friction. It might also be that age restrictions apply to some of the lodges you’ll stay at or the activities you’ll undertake. That said, if your children have successfully been on safari before and you know they will do well in the group environment, there is no reason not to take them on a group safari, age limitations permitting. However, if you intend to take small children on a first safari, it might be better to book a private tour, which will give you more flexibility to cater to their needs. A safari can be a wonderfully enriching experience for children, but as their attention span is relatively small, a Kenyan group safari might just be too demanding for them.”

What type of vehicle can I expect on a Kenya group safari?

“There are three main types of safari vehicles used by tour operators in Kenya. Most popular is the minivan with pop-up roof. These vans are modified for safaris and they usually have eight passenger seats. There is one seat in the front next to the driver and three rows in the back. The front and middle row have two seats and the back row has three seats. Many operators only fit a maximum of seven visitors in the van so everybody has a window seat. If they fill the vehicle to full capacity somebody will have a middle seat. Most safari vans have 4x4, but not all do. The 4x4 vans are fine on most roads, but they don’t have the power of a Toyota Land Cruiser. These customized Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs are more expensive and therefore less popular than the vans. Some operators offering luxury tours use them as they offer more comfort and versatility. The seating capacity is usually six, which gives everybody a window seat. A third type of vehicle is the overland truck. These customized trucks usually carry large groups, between 12 and 30 people. The seating varies. Some trucks have a line of seats looking inwards on each side of the truck and other ones have front-facing seats. The trucks are often used on longer trips covering several countries. These are usually budget camping trips.”

How much do Kenya group safari packages cost?

“There are many factors determining the price of a Kenya group safari. A seven-day shared camping tour starts at about US$700 per person. Going up to mid-range, prices are around US$1700 per person for one week and luxury tours start at around US$2300 per person. You can use the filters on the SafariBookings website to narrow down your priorities, but these are some approximate figures to give an idea of prices. Using the SafariBookings filters, you can choose between a between a budget, mid-range and luxury safari. This usually comes down to the type of accommodation. Camping safaris are fun and cheaper than lodge safaris. Mid-range accommodation is usually no-frills, but offers all the comfort you need. Luxury lodges are often more exclusive; some camps consist of only six or eight units. Fly-in safaris are a great choice on the luxury end of the range. Last but not least, consider traveling out of season to get a discounted rate. This corresponds with the rains, but it is also the most beautiful time of the year and the ultimate bonus is that there are fewer visitors around at that time. ”

Kenya Safari Reviews

4.6/5 897 Reviews

Expert

Alan Murphy –

Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.

A Safari Behemoth

5/5

In some ways, Kenya rates as the best country for safaris in Africa. That is a contentious statement and many would argue that Tanzania should be given that title. Whichever way you go, Kenya is undeniably a destination which will fulfill...

Full Review

Expert

Nana Luckham –

Nana is a travel writer and author of multiple guidebooks, including the Lonely Planet guides to Africa, Zambia & Malawi and South Africa.

From game-packed hotspots to little known wilderness

5/5

Kenya’s stunning landscapes include rainforest, beaches, deserts and mountains, but it’s the first class wildlife watching that keeps so many visitors flocking back. Not only is it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five,...

Full Review

Ryan S. –

Reviewed: Jul 26, 2021

Majestic

5/5

This was by far the greatest trip I have ever experience. Seeing these animals in person, staying at the lodges Bonfire paired me with, and having a great experience with our driver Tony was everything. Thank you for making my dream Africa...

Full Review

Shelmith –

Reviewed: Oct 14, 2020

Kenya is amazing!!

5/5

Safari bookings took us to this amazing hotel ,ole sereni hotel which was close to wildlife.there was an amazing scenic view I would never forget .the roof top was exceptionally beautiful .We went Nairobi national park, we had an...

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John –

Reviewed: Jul 20, 2020

All we hoped for and more.

5/5

Our Kenya holiday was everything we hoped for and more, thrilling fascinating breathtaking emotional and beautiful. The thrills came from spotting the many different animals we were lucky enough to spot on our game drives and a visit to...

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MD –

Reviewed: May 20, 2020

Kenya Safari- Masai Mara and Amboseli- January 2020

4/5

Went on two 3 day safari's in Kenya, first to the Masai Mara and the second to Amboseli. All in all the two trips were good value given the low price, I've listed the pros and cons below. Pro's- -Amazing scenery and wildlife, you cannot...

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Kenya Shared Group Safaris

4-Day Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Camping Safari

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6-Day Masai Mara-Nakuru-Amboseli Safari- Daily Departure

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5-Day Masai Mara-Lake Naivasha-Hells Gate & Lake Nakuru

8-Day Maasai Mara Lake Nakuru Amboseli Safari

3-Day Maasai Mara Budget Camp Tour

3-Day Masai Mara Group Budget Camping Safari

4-Day Longclaw Lakes and Grasslands Excursion

7-Day Living Among the Lions- High End Lodge with Jeep

4-Day Masai Mara Lake Nakuru Camping

11-Day Adventure Safari & Beach Combined

3-Day Masai Mara Safari Join Group Budget Safari

9-Day Kenyan Communities and Wildlife Safari

3-Day Masai Mara Mid Range Lodge Magical Safari -Minivan

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5 Questions About Kenya Group Safaris

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

5 Questions About Kenya Group Safaris

What are the pros and cons of a Kenya group safari?

What is a good size for a Kenya group tour?

Is there a minimum age for a Kenya group safari?

What type of vehicle can I expect on a Kenya group safari?

How much do Kenya group safari packages cost?

Kenya Safari Reviews

A Safari Behemoth

From game-packed hotspots to little known wilderness

Majestic

Kenya is amazing!!

All we hoped for and more.

Kenya Safari- Masai Mara and Amboseli- January 2020